Crime fighter Eliot Ness may have died six decades ago, but two Illinois senators want to honor his memory with the naming of a federal building in D.C. in his honor.
Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk want to add Ness’ name to the headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
But Chicago alderman Ed Burke has stepped forward to slow that charge, claiming Ness isn’t quite the historical figure that he’s purported to be, the Associated Press reported.
Mr. Burke pointed to a recent biography about mobster Al Capone that shows Ness had little to do with bringing down the mob crime hold on Chicago, and said the two senators should drop their quest.
Ness is a “Hollywood myth” and honoring him above others more worthy of the recognition would be a folly, Mr. Burke told AP.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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